Martial arts teacher Paul Monty's jail term doubled

A martial arts instructor who groomed and molested two schoolgirls has had his jail term more than doubled.

Paul Monty, of Elton, in Stockton, was originally jailed for four and a half years after being convicted of a string of sex attacks against the teenagers.

But London's Court of Appeal found that the sentence was too lenient and increased it to 10 years.

Monty, 55, was convicted of 13 offences including a serious sexual assault at Teesside Crown Court in December 2013.

Appeal Court judge, Lord Justice Davis said Monty had betrayed their trust and the sentence was too lenient.

The former doorman preyed on the girls, aged 13 and 15, during the 1980s, when he was in his 20s.

'Violates children'

The case had been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, Oliver Brand QC.

Speaking after the hearing, he said: "Paul Monty abused his position of trust and acted in a way that was wholly inappropriate for a teacher, committing sexual offences against young girls who were in his charge and entitled to be safe.

"I asked the court to look again at this sentence as I felt it was unduly lenient.

"The court sent a clear message that anyone who violates the trust of children, no matter how long ago, will face the proper consequences."